Hours Calculator
Calculate the total hours and minutes between a start time and end time. Optionally subtract a break. Perfect for timesheets, payroll, and work hour tracking. Runs entirely in your browser.
How the Hours Calculator Works
This calculator computes the elapsed time between a start time and an end time. You can optionally subtract break time (like a lunch break) to get net working hours. The result is shown in hours and minutes, decimal hours (for timesheets), and total minutes. If the end time is earlier than the start time, the calculator assumes the shift crosses midnight and adjusts accordingly.
Decimal hours are the standard format used in most payroll and timesheet systems. Instead of saying "7 hours 30 minutes," you enter 7.50 on your timesheet. This calculator provides both formats so you can use whichever your system requires.
Hours Calculation Formula
Worked Hours = End Time − Start Time − Break Duration
Decimal Hours = Hours + (Minutes / 60)
Where:
- Start Time = When you clocked in (HH:MM format)
- End Time = When you clocked out
- Break Duration = Total unpaid break time in minutes
- If end time < start time, 24 hours is added (overnight shift)
Example Calculations
Example 1: Standard Workday
Start: 9:00 AM, End: 5:30 PM, Break: 30 minutes
- Gross hours: 5:30 PM − 9:00 AM = 8 hours 30 minutes
- Net hours: 8h 30m − 30m break = 8 hours 0 minutes
- Decimal: 8.00 hours
Example 2: Short Shift
Start: 2:00 PM, End: 6:15 PM, Break: 0 minutes
- Gross hours: 6:15 PM − 2:00 PM = 4 hours 15 minutes
- Decimal: 4.25 hours
Example 3: Overnight Shift
Start: 10:00 PM, End: 6:00 AM, Break: 30 minutes
- Gross hours: 6:00 AM + 24h − 10:00 PM = 8 hours
- Net hours: 8h − 30m = 7 hours 30 minutes
- Decimal: 7.50 hours
Using Hours for Payroll
Most payroll systems require hours in decimal format. Common conversions: 15 minutes = 0.25 hours, 30 minutes = 0.50 hours, 45 minutes = 0.75 hours. Some companies round to the nearest quarter hour for payroll purposes. This calculator gives you the exact decimal, which you can then round according to your company's policy.
Tracking Weekly Hours
To calculate your total weekly hours, use this calculator for each day's shift, then add the daily results. If you work five days with 8, 7.5, 8.25, 7.75, and 8.5 hours respectively, your weekly total is 40 hours. For a more comprehensive weekly tracker, use our Time Card Calculator.